Risas y Sonrisas Spanish for Kids

by Risas y Sonrisas Spanish for Kidshttp://www.spanishforkids.com

Foreign_languageGrades K–5

Risas y Sonrisas Spanish for Kids: Multi-Sensory Conversational Program

Risas y Sonrisas Spanish for Kids is a comprehensive multi-sensory Spanish curriculum for grades K-5 that emphasizes conversational skills through music, movement, games, and interactive activities. The program combines physical materials with online components including animated songs, interactive flashcards, and skits performed by native Spanish speakers.

Best for

Elementary homeschool families (K-5) seeking a comprehensive, multi-sensory Spanish curriculum that emphasizes conversational skills and works well with small groups of 2-4 students

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 2 neutral

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides comprehensive teacher support through detailed instructor manual, lesson plans, game instructions, and progress monitoring tools. However, no specialized pronunciation or cultural training is mentioned.

Homeschool Instructor Manual explains program preparation, provides lesson plans for four semesters, includes game instructions, and offers online progress reports for monitoring

Cultural KnowledgeStrength

The curriculum incorporates cultural knowledge through dedicated cultural points, Hispanic culture cards, and country-specific materials. Cultural content appears integrated throughout rather than isolated.

Each chapter includes 'cultural points' like piñatas, program includes Hispanic Culture Cards, Hispanic countries map, and 48 mini-cards with flags and regions

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum facilitates direct instruction through structured lesson plans, instructor manual with clear guidance, and systematic progression through themes. The multi-sensory approach supports explicit teaching.

Homeschool Instructor Manual provides lesson plans for four semesters with game instructions, and program uses repetition with varied multi-sensory approaches

Comprehensible InputStrength

The curriculum provides abundant comprehensible input through animated songs, interactive skits with native speakers, and visual supports like pictures and color-coding. The progression from familiar vocabulary to conversation skits follows comprehensible input principles.

Program includes 30+ original songs with colorful illustrations, skits by native Spanish-speaking children with subtitles, and visual flashcards that support comprehension

Speaking Listening BalanceStrength

The curriculum strongly emphasizes listening and speaking skills through songs, skits, Q&A practice, and role-play activities. Reading and writing are included through workbooks but appear secondary to oral skills.

Program features animated songs, Sign and Sing videos, interactive Q&A practice, conversation skits, plus workbooks with writing activities and reading exercises

Explicit GrammarNeutral

The curriculum includes some explicit grammar instruction but appears to prioritize conversational skills over systematic grammar teaching. Basic grammar concepts like verb conjugations and pronouns are covered but not extensively.

Review mentions coverage of verb conjugations, personal pronouns, and gender (masculine/feminine), but describes it as 'really a conversational course' rather than grammar-focused

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum incorporates some retrieval practice through interactive flashcards, games like dominos and bubble games, but systematic spaced review is not explicitly described. Practice appears more activity-based than strategically spaced.

Program includes interactive flashcards, bubble games for vocabulary practice, and domino matching games, but no mention of systematic spaced repetition systems

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

Key Facts
GradesGrades K–5
SubjectForeign_language
PedagogyUnschooling

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy, homeschoolcom